The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder arthritis with impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine, status post thoracolumbar spine fracture. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's injuries were found to be incurred in the line of duty due to his PTSD symptoms, which led him to self-medicate with alcohol.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder arthritis with impingement syndrome, degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine, status post thoracolumbar spine fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19128230
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, alcohol abuse, and PTSD are granted. The service connection for degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine is remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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